The 1970's was a period filled with a explosive experimentation in music and art (as well as other things that can't be mentioned here). If you had been witness to events such as a Led Zeppelin concert or California Jam '74 (or, for people who weren't born during that era, watched it on either Betamax or VHS to DVD), you might have been awestruck by the power of a steel drum set ranging from a fairly standard looking one used by John Bonham to a massive custom 2-ton kit by Carl Palmer. Reminiscent of a fascinating and innovative era, the Ludwig Anniversary Edition Stainless Steel Pro Beat Kit has been forged and unveiled as a true testament to the company's timeless roots.

All the kits have been hand-rolled and tooled by drumsmith Ron Dunnett. This Anniversary edition is a three-piece kit featuring a 14"X24" Bass Drum, 16"x16" Floor Tom, and 9"x13" Tom. The first 50 kits will feature a polished chrome steel finish and brass hardware; the second 50 will feature brushed stainless finish and chrome hardware. Though fairly small compared to John Bonham's or minuscule compared to Carl Palmer's, this stainless steel kit features an ultra thin shell and bearing edge per drum that can create an unbelievable enormous tone that can match that of the mentioned legends.

Per Ludwig's official web site, only 100 units of this piece of history will be made available, so if you want one of these you'd better act fast. If you've missed out on the 2006 release of limited edition John Bonham commemorative stainless steel kit, this is your big chance to approximate one. Otherwise, if you wish to be like Carl Palmer instead, be ready to shell out serious cash and try to get at least two of these monsters plus a lot of cymbals, two gongs, a couple of timpani, some other percussion instruments, and borrow your dentist's drill to carve out the inlays yourself (and probably tick off Mr. Dunnett). You better place your orders now to experience first hand its awesome power that brought forth legends of the drumming world.